Freddie is BACK............

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas will be back with the team for this season at a reduced price despite an erratic 2006 campaign. Meanwhile, former Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Brian Simmons has agreed to a three-year contract with the ...

New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas will be back with the team for this season at a reduced price despite an erratic 2006 campaign. Meanwhile, former Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Brian Simmons has agreed to a three-year contract with the Saints.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis wouldn't comment on the contract specifics, saying only Thomas "did agree to restructure." Thomas was to make $2 million this season and it was widely speculated the team might release the veteran cornerback, as it had wide receiver Joe Horn last week, if Thomas hadn't taken less money.

Thomas, 33, became the target for many teams to throw at toward the end of the regular season and playoffs. While taking on most of the opposing top receivers, Thomas struggled against such receivers as Cincinnati's Chad Johnson and Philadelphia's Donte' Stallworth.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound cornerback had 55 tackles, one interception and 11 pass defenses while starting 13 games. He missed two games with an injured hamstring and was inactive for the final game of the regular season to rest him for the playoffs.

The Saints are thought to be targeting a cornerback in April's NFL draft and still may do so with the 27th overall pick in the first round.

Cornerback may not be the problem in the Saints' eyes, considering the team has entertained three safeties since free agency began. Ex-Bengals safety Kevin Kaesviharn finished up his trip Tuesday. Deon Grant and Ken Hamlin made the other visits.

The Saints and cornerback Fred Thomas agreed to restructure the final year of his contract, keeping him in New Orleans for the 2007 season, General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed Tuesday.

Thomas, 33, was scheduled to earn $3 million in salary and bonuses this season. He agreed to reduce that figure by about $800,000, according to a league source. Thomas could not be reached for comment.

Well with the saints not looking at FA CB (yet) they must have studied the tape and concluded that it was not all his fault. As i said after almost every game were was the S help over the top? I am not saying he can not be replaced but I am saying it was not all his fault. Fred will do whatever you ask him too. special teamer and/or dime back is not out of the question once a replacement is found. Giving up about a million to stay here does say alot about his love for the team.

This is not such a bad deal guys. Obviously the coaching staff knows that Fred Thomas is not the answer at the other corner, he can't keep up with guys like Chad Johnson or Donte Stallworth (just like the article says). But think about why he can't? Because he doesn't have good top end speed, right? But his technique is very good, that's why he was our starting cornerback last year, because he has limited natural skills left but has mastered his technique to make up for it. I think he will be a very good nickel or dime package corner, where he doesn't have to rely on his speed to cover the deep third of the field; he can rely on his technique and instinct to cover the generally less talented slot receivers. This should be a good thing for Fred and the Saints. Not to mention we restructured the deal and probably saved some money doing it.

Freddie is a veteran corner and know way should he be getting turned around by the likes of Chad Johnson and Donte Stallworth, sorry fellas but some may feel it not all his fault but 90 percent of the time it is and since over top help was missing he still needs go plain and simple. But since know one wanted him he did make the right choice by taking a pay cut. Bly put himself back on the market, Smoot is available and the draft so I only see him being the 4th corner or being cut during training camp. Freddie gotta go

I'm sorry, I must've been watching a different game than you guys. Yes, our safety help was horrendous, on that I agree, but to say retaining Fred Thomas is a good thing is beyond me. I can remember watching the games and wondering at what point the old man was going to stumble and fall while trying to cover a receiver on a route! At this level of play when your footwork is that bad you are no longer needed. There are too many guys out there that can be retained to do a better back-up job than twinkle toes Thomas and not have to be paid what he is getting paid. I mean if you're going to go that route, cut Thomas, with the money you save re-sign Joe Horn, at least when he was in the game he was productive to the team. Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't want to retain either of them but if you're going to, at least go with the guy that contributes to the team, not detract.